Does a low heart rate always mean an enlarged heart size?

Former Member
Former Member
I was having this discussion with someone who says that a person with a low resting heart rate automatically has an enlarged heart. I once had my heart checked. While my resting heart rate was around 35 bpm, my heart size was rather average. I recently read something that said that an athlete does NOT automatically have an enlarged heart. I can't find that article anymore. Does anyone know in what way a low heart rate has to do with the size of your heart and if all swimmers have larger hearts than average people?
Parents
  • I loved watching Borg. He was amazing. A low heart rate does not cause an enlarged heart. You have it turned around. The enlarged heart can be caused by what Jim talked about above, either exercise, and being very fit, the heart is a muscle, it will gain in size, especially the left ventricle, or disease. When the heart you are fit from exercise, there is all kinds of physiological developments that can then lower your resting heart rate. Also there is a genetic component. If you are concerned about it, get checked out by a doctor, especially if you are getting older. If they say you are fine, don't worry about it. As far as being that low, I know many of the teens that my children swim with that have low resting HR. When you are consistently fit, it goes way down.
Reply
  • I loved watching Borg. He was amazing. A low heart rate does not cause an enlarged heart. You have it turned around. The enlarged heart can be caused by what Jim talked about above, either exercise, and being very fit, the heart is a muscle, it will gain in size, especially the left ventricle, or disease. When the heart you are fit from exercise, there is all kinds of physiological developments that can then lower your resting heart rate. Also there is a genetic component. If you are concerned about it, get checked out by a doctor, especially if you are getting older. If they say you are fine, don't worry about it. As far as being that low, I know many of the teens that my children swim with that have low resting HR. When you are consistently fit, it goes way down.
Children
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